The Treaty of Waitangi as a Health Document 

The Treaty of Waitangi can be seen as the original health document of New Zealand in terms of the intentions stated within its text.  The Maori people were to have the security and protection of the British Crown, indeed, full rights as British Citizens.  They were also to retain their tribal authority and ‘o ratou taonga katoa’, meaning everything they value.  This meant the Maori people would retain control of their lands, villages, their possessions, their language, spirituality and health practices.